Photo By Master Sgt. Daryl Knee | U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 822nd Base Defense Squadron load into an HC-130J Combat...... read more read more
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More than 160 members from the 822nd Base Defense Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, deployed to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Aug. 28, 2021, to support the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Allies Welcome.
The 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing’s base defense Airmen will provide an enhanced security presence to Task Force – Holloman.
The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan.
The 23rd Wing’s 71st Rescue Squadron supplied the HC-130J Combat King II cargo aircraft to airlift the team and the thousands of pounds of cargo to Holloman after only a few days’ notification.
The overall mission of the base defense squadron is to provide the Secretary of Defense with a fully integrated defense capability which enables Air Force, joint and coalition missions against advanced adversaries in line with national defense strategic objectives while maintaining immediate response force responsibilities, said Maj. Timothy Finucan, 822nd BDS commander.
Simply put, if an area needs a stand-alone security function, this expeditious team can deploy at a moment’s notice and secure the area.
“We are at our highest state of readiness to go anywhere in the world,” Finucan said. “This movement was a little different than our normal taskings, but it’s what the Secretary of Defense and the country needed us to do, so we’re here.
“I trust my Airmen with my life,” he added. “So even though there will be challenges based on the uniqueness and sensitivity of this mission, I have full faith and confidence in my team and their level of professionalism.”
That professionalism translates well into their specific mission at Holloman: support.
“Our team is performing a very critical role right now in the process,” said Staff Sgt. Matt Hugaboom, a 822nd BDS member deployed to Holloman. “We are thankful for the chance to help, and we know that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“We are touching so many lives by being out here,” he continued. “We are going to treat everybody as if they’re part of our own team, our own family.”
The entire temporary provision effort — housing, medical, security, transportation, food and supplies — is housed under U.S. Northern Command and includes other pre-identified military installations to take in the thousands of Afghan personnel.
“The 822 Base Defense Squadron’s motto is ‘SAFESIDE,’ which comes from a proud heritage of protecting Airmen and air bases dating back more than 50 years,” said Col. Danielle Willis, 93rd AGOW commander. “This mission is continuing that tradition by joining with the total force team to care for evacuees as they transition to a new life.
“We’re honored to be part of the effort, and I know our Airmen, Guardians, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are doing their best to care for these people in their time of need,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 09.06.2021 20:45 |
| Story ID: | 404515 |
| Location: | HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Hometown: | MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 228 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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